Quality of Life Comparison

If you lived in Gabon instead of United States, you would:

be 58.6% less likely to be obese

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people.

live 27.9 years less

In United States, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women). In Gabon, that number is 52 years (52 years for men, 52 years for women).

Economy

spend 11.6% less on taxes

United States has a top tax rate of 39.6%. In Gabon, the top tax rate is 35.0%.

make 67.7% less money

United States has a GDP per capita of $59,500, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,200.

be 6.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In United States, 4.4% of adults are unemployed. In Gabon, that number is 28.0%.

be 2.3 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line. In Gabon, however, that number is 34.3%.

Life

have 2.7 times more children

In United States, there are approximately 12.5 babies per 1,000 people. In Gabon, there are 34.2 babies per 1,000 people.

be 20.8 times more likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 14.0 women per 1,000 births die during labor. In Gabon, 291.0 women do.

be 7.6 times more likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.8 children die before they reach the age of one. In Gabon, on the other hand, 44.1 children do.

Basic Needs

be 11.0% less likely to have access to electricity

In United States, 100% of the population has electricity access. In Gabon, 89% of the population do.

be 36.9% less likely to have internet access

In United States, approximately 76.2% of the population has internet access. In Gabon, about 48.1% do.

Expenditures

spend 46.0% less on education

United States spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education. Gabon spends 2.7% of total GDP on education.

spend 80.1% less on healthcare

United States spends 17.1% of its total GDP on healthcare. In Gabon, that number is 3.4% of GDP.

Geography

see 95.6% less coastline

United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In Gabon, that number is 885 km.

Learn more about Gabon

Gabon is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 257,667 sq km. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009) following independence from France in 1960. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, new elections brought Ali BONGO Ondimba, son of the former president, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.

How big is Gabon compared to United States?
See an in-depth size comparison.